• Photo: JUSTIN RIDLER
    Photo: JUSTIN RIDLER
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Australian Ballet principal dancer Amber Scott describes the challenge of dancing this coveted classical role.

Preparing to be Aurora is as much about mental and emotional readiness as it is about the physical, says Amber Scott, who first danced Aurora in the Australian Ballet’s 2009 production and will reprise the role in its 2015 season. “For the technical side of things you need to have enough time over the rehearsal period to refine your line, style and develop stamina. For the mental aspect you just have to take a breath and go for it,” she remarks. “Many ballerinas commiserate on the agony of hearing the Garland Dance music in Act I and the outrageous nervous energy it produces in you as you wait for that first entrance. For me, I think the best way to combat this is to remember the magic I felt from reading this fairytale as a child and remember how lucky I am to step into that fantastical world onstage.”

 Asked about the differences between dancing the lead role in a classical ballet as opposed to a Romantic ballet, Scott replies, “The physicality is quite different. The Romantic body shape is curved, forward bending, and the line is soft around the edges, whereas the shapes I aim for in Aurora are super clean, elongated and with a more lengthened torso.

“Dancing the role of Aurora, I really enjoy the chance to feel like a true classical ballerina. This ballet is as pure as a traditional work can be, it’s so rewarding to face all its challenges. I'm looking forward to developing the warmth of her character and bringing a more refined approach to my portrayal this time.”

Scott was coached as a 16-year-old by Marilyn Rowe, who passed on this advice she in turn had learnt from Dame Peggy van Praagh: “Aurora is a pearl. She glows from within. Luminous and unique.”

- NINA LEVY

This article appeared in the Oct/Nov 2015 issue of 'Dance Australia'.

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